Then Paul asked the Clippers to acquire Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett, which probably isn’t happening (though I won’t rule it out until the Clippers hire a coach or Rivers directly announces his intentions to coach Boston next season).

How do you think Paul is taking it?

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports:

Free-agent star Chris Paul pushed the Clippers to hire Rivers as coach, but will have to settle for Lionel Hollins, Brian Shaw or Byron Scott if he plans to re-sign with Los Angeles in July. Paul is unhappy with the fallout over the failed deal, sources told Yahoo! Sports on Friday night.

Paul has every right to demand the Clippers not only offer him a maximum contract, but heed his wishes. If the NBA didn’t constrain player pay with an individual maximum contract, Paul could fetch a lot more on the open market.

And the Clippers will happily oblige Paul’s requests in order to keep him. He’s just that valuable.

But I don’t think we’re near the point where Paul’s displeasure really matters. Where else is he going to go? The Rockets or Mavericks might be appealing, but Los Angeles can still offer the most money, the most exposure and a roster he helped build.